Asama Blue has an opportunity at Matamata to add another winning strike to her record before beginning the second phase of her career.

The well-related Fastnet Rock mare, who was successful last time out at Awapuni, will step out in the Bay Insurance & Dawson Insurance Benchmark Rating 70 (1600m) and will be ridden by Danielle Johnson.

“She’s in foal to Tavistock and that often gives them a natural lift so we feel that she’s going to be pretty competitive again,” said part-owner Sir Peter Vela’s racing manager Garry Cossey. “She’s very well at the moment.”

Bred in Ireland, Asama Blue was a debut winner in England before she travelled to New Zealand and had finished in the money in her first four starts for trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie before breaking through last time out.

Meanwhile, the stable also has high hopes for Maltese Ruby at Trentham in Saturday’s The Informant Premier (1600m).

The Darci Brahma mare is unbeaten in two starts this preparation and her fortunes will also be guided by Johnson.

“She’s up in the Rating 75 grade now so she looks really well placed in a special conditions race,” Cossey said. “It seemed the logical step to take.

“She started off in Australia, but didn’t really measure up there so she came home and Steven and Julia put her aside after a couple of trials.

“She was quite weak and she’s really strengthened up now.”